BURQA CRAG

East Ramallah

The Area story

Historically, Burqa village served as a strategic passage to Jerusalem. The town contains archaeological remains dating back approximately two thousand years, spanning the Hellenistic, Roman, and Islamic eras. Today, its residents continue to endure daily pressures from Israeli settlers and military checkpoints, yet they have been  trying to use the remaining lands for agriculture and livestock. Since the 1980s, Palestinian-owned land in Burqa has been systematically confiscated, with settlements gradually expanding through increased land seizures. The settlers' objective has been to restrict Palestinian presence in the area, including shepherds and their sheep. The most extensive land grab occurred after October 7th, when the village became encircled by newly established settler outposts and settlements from all directions. As a result, the surrounding landscape continues to shrink, olive trees are being destroyed, and residents have only a single road for access to and from the village.

ROUTE DEVELOPERS

Mujahed Abuyacoub, Elia Mancini, Momin Abuyacoub

CHECK THE ROUTES, YOU CAN SWIPE RIGHT AND ZOOM

  • ROPE VS GUN SECTOR


    1 . Abdallah Motan’s Wings, grade 6c+, 8 bolts, 22m, 2021.

    2 . Abu John, Grade 6b, 21m, 8 bolts, 2021.

    3 . Palestine loves everyone, Grade 6a+, 20 m, 7 bolts, 2022.

    4 . military zone to be home, Grade 6b+, 20m, 6 bolts, 2022.

  • Burqa crag

    BURQA'S HEAVEN SECTOR


    5 . Manjal, Grade 6b, 5 bolts, 15m, 2021.

    6 . Alnabi Dawood, Grade 6a, 4 bolts, 15m, 2021.

    7 . Donkey KOng, Grade 6b, 4 bolts, 15m, 2021.

  • BURQA'S HEAVEN SECTOR


    8 . BELLA CIAO, Grade 6a+. 12m, 4 bolts, 2022.

    9 . The religion of love, Grade 5c, 10m, 4 bolts, 2022.

  • GOD DIDN'T SIGN SECTOR


    10 . Heaven is not for all, Grade 5c, 13m, 5 bolts, 2022.

    11 . last climb, Grade 5b, 13m, 5 bolts, 2022.

    12 . Checkpoint on the top, Grade 5c, 11m. 5 bolts, 2022.

  • GOD DIDN'T SIGN SECTOR


    13 . stealing in the name of God, grade 5a, 9m, 3 bolts. 2023.

    14 . route older than a religion, grade 5a, 9m, 3 bolts. 2023.

    15 . brainwashed, grade 5a, 9m, 3 bolts, 2023.

Mujahed and Elia while planning to bolt Burqa’s heaven sector in 2021

CLIMBING HISTORY

Burqa Crag is widely regarded as one of the most remarkable climbing sites in the West Bank, distinguished by its natural beauty and isolation from urban development. Abdallah Motan who originally from the village, when he knew about climbing in 2020, he told Wadi Palestine about the village crag, that he was used to climb the easy routes of it without ropes when he was kid. In mid-2021, Palestinian climbers began developing the crag by bolting new routes.

From the outset, the climbers faced opposition from Israeli settlers—sometimes accompanied by the Israeli military—who attempted to halt their work without legal justification. Local residents clarified that the land is privately owned by Palestinians, which they had successfully verified through Israeli supreme court proceedings. In response, the settlers claimed it through God who gave them the right to the territory, declaring that no one was permitted to cross the valley between the crag from the village.

Inspiring story

This climbing site has attracted visitors from around the world. In March 2023, Jim, David, Eddie, John and Ellen—a warm family from the United Kingdom—purchased the Palestine Climbing Guidebook and traveled directly to the occupied Palestine. Their journey included visits to Palestinian cities and villages, interactions with local communities, and opportunities to sample traditional cuisine and desserts.
After climbing at several notable crags, including Ein Fara, Wadi Tamer, Yabrud, and Ein Qiniya, they became among the first climbers to scale the routes at Burqa. The Palestinian climbers drew particular inspiration from David and Jim, whose lifelong devotion to climbing remained undiminished by age.
The family maintained contact with the Palestinian climbers until 2026. Now in their mid-eighties, they continue to climb actively. Reflecting on the situation, they commented on the news of Burqa as "what a beautiful crag" a remark that captures both their admiration for the site and their dismay at its loss. They have frequently voiced their deep sorrow and concern of over the broader conditions affecting Palestinian climbers.

NOTE

The route developers had been planning to establish additional climbing routes, and promote outdoor recreation, support climbers in advancing their skills, and introduce the sport to children from the village. However, the crag has now become entirely off-limits, the whole area has been declared a military zone, while the entire village is now encircled by settlers and military forces. As a result, attempting to access the area poses serious risks, including the possibility of detention or more severe consequences.

special memories

Jennie from Italy climb 'stealing in the name of religion route', 2023
Elia while developing ‘Rope Vs Gun' sector, 2021
Tasneem and Saqer climbing 'Heaven Is Not For All'. 2022
Amal leading a climbing trip, 2023
Locals and internationals joining Wadi Palestine trips, 2023
Next

Abu Al-Einein (The father of the eyes)